Intel details low-cost Shelton notebook platform

Intel has begun distributing the details of Shelton, a set of low-cost notebook specifications, market sources claim. At Shelton's heart is a Diamondville CPU, built with a single 1.6GHz core, and a 533MHz front-side bus. The chip consumes a mere 3.5W of power, contributing to a total power consumption of just 8W. This should give Shelton systems between three and four hours of battery life. The processor is meanwhile attached to a 945GSE motherboard, which supports DirectX 9-level integrated graphics and single-channel DDR2 memory.

Beyond this the platform becomes more flexible, with typical options including 802.11g Wi-Fi, a USB/PATA-port SSD drive, and a seven- to eight-inch display. This should put Shelton systems into direct competition with ASUS' Eee PC, which does run Intel hardware, but which has so far had little to no direct competition.

The first Shelton systems are expected to launch in the third quarter of 2008. Two companies, MSI and Gigabyte, are said to already be working on Shelton notebooks; Acer, Dell and Hewlett-Packard are rumored to be planning a later entry into the field. [via DigiTimes]

Filed under: computers, industry, gadgets
Other story tags: Intel, Dell, HP, notebooks, Acer, MSI, Gigabyte, Diamondville, Shelton